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Posted: 1/14/2024 | January 14th, 2024

Cusco is the undisputed archaeological hub of South America, and visiting it’s a necessary a part of any journey to Peru. The capital of the Inca Empire for hundreds of years, town lies not removed from the famed Machu Picchu, one of many iconic Wonders of the World. Whether or not you’re mountaineering the Inca Path or simply passing by way of, Cusco is value spending a number of days exploring.

Whereas most vacationers go to Cusco due to its location close to Machu Picchu, there’s a lot to see and do right here. Town is in style with path walkers and historical past lovers, but additionally partygoers who come to take pleasure in its nightlife and festivals.

Due to all this, most vacationers backpacking South America cross by way of Cusco and keep an evening or two.

Beneath is my record of the very best hostels in Cusco that will help you plan your journey and lower your expenses. Should you don’t need to learn the longer record, the next are the very best in every class:

Need the specifics? Right here’s my breakdown of the very best hostels in Cusco and why I like them:

Worth legend (per evening):

$: Below 40 PEN
$$: 40-60 PEN
$$$: 60 PEN and above

1. Viajero Kokopelli

This enormous hostel is enjoyable and artsy, with cool murals painted on the partitions. It’s energetic with plenty of occasions so keep right here if you happen to’re trying to meet different vacationers! There’s a bar with a every day completely satisfied hour, plenty of actions (stay music, DJs, cooking lessons), and the frequent areas have billiards, foosball, and beer pong tables.

The dorm beds are pod-style and tremendous comfortable, with particular person studying lights and retailers. The showers all the time have scorching water and nice stress. There are female-only dorms too. There’s additionally a co-working area if it is advisable get some work completed and free tea all day (together with coca tea, which helps with acclimatizing to the altitude).

Viajero Kokopelli at a look:

$$
Social hostel with plenty of occasions and actions
Pod beds with particular person studying lights and retailers
Tons of frequent areas (together with a backyard hammock space)

Beds from 54 PEN, non-public rooms from 270 PEN.

E-book right here!
 

2. Wild Rover Hostel

Wild Rover is enjoyable get together hostel. There’s all the time one thing happening right here, from events on the bar to cultural experiences like cooking lessons and salsa classes. There are a number of frequent areas too, together with a co-working area. The panoramic views from the bar can’t be beat (although remember the fact that the uphill stroll from town heart generally is a bit taxing at this altitude).

Most dorm rooms right here have pod-style beds with privateness curtains, retailers, studying lights, and huge lockers to retailer your gear. The dorms are positioned in an space separate from the bar, which means you’ll be able to nonetheless get a good evening’s sleep if you happen to don’t need to take part on the festivities or need to flip in early.

Wild Rover at a look:

$
Occasion environment with plenty of organized occasions
Dorm beds have studying lights, retailers, and lockers (some have privateness curtains)
A number of frequent areas make assembly individuals a breeze

Beds from 40 PEN, non-public rooms from 185 PEN.

E-book right here!
 

3. Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta

This cozy hostel presents a quieter keep than the 2 above, making it an incredible possibility when you’ve got an early morning wake-up to go trekking or simply desire a extra laid-back keep. The environment at this family-run hostel is tremendous welcoming. Plus, not like most hostels in Cusco, Recoleta presents free breakfast and has a visitor kitchen in case you need to prepare dinner.

Dorm beds listed below are a bit primary (no privateness curtains), however they’re manufactured from wooden, in order that they don’t squeak and shake like metallic bunks. The hostel has non-public rooms too, together with some with only a twin mattress, making this a very good possibility for solo vacationers who’re in search of a peaceable stick with a bit extra privateness.

Hospedaje Turístico Recoleta at a look:

$
Small hostel with a quiet and homey environment
Free breakfast
Totally outfitted visitor kitchen

Beds from 38 PEN, non-public rooms from 91 PEN.

E-book right here!
 

4. Casa Tunki

Essentially the most luxurious hostel in Cusco, Casa Tunki feels extra like a boutique resort than a hostel. It’s positioned in a colonial-era constructing restored in a mixture of up to date and historic kinds. I discovered the internal atrium (the place you’ll discover the cool fusion restaurant/bar) significantly beautiful.

Every room bears a distinct title in Quechua (the indigenous language of the area). Each non-public rooms and dorms have comfy capsule beds with particular person studying lights, curtains, and retailers; insulating noise-reducing materials; and blackout curtains. This is without doubt one of the greatest hostels in Cusco for getting a stable evening’s relaxation. It’s good for vacationers who’re in search of a quiet place to recharge earlier than or after a trek.

Casa Tunki at a look:

$$$
Upscale boutique hostel
Capsule dorm beds with particular person studying lights, curtains, and retailers
Central location within the historic heart of town

Beds from 113 PEN, non-public rooms from 264 PEN.

E-book right here!
 

5. Pariwana Hostel Cusco

Pariwana is a small Peruvian-owned hostel chain, named for the Andean flamingo (the concept being that this hen, like backpackers, travels throughout South America). Its Cusco location is an establishment and the employees are superb and exit of their technique to host enjoyable social occasions.

Within the dorms, you’ll discover particular person studying lights and retailers by every mattress (no privateness curtains although), and lockers with retailers to soundly cost your electronics whilst you’re out exploring. The showers have scorching water (although generally it takes somewhat time to heat up), and there’s free tea out there 24/7 (together with coca tea).

Pariwana Hostel Cusco at a look:

$$
Central location within the historic heart
Organizes plenty of occasions so it’s straightforward to fulfill individuals
Lockers have retailers so you’ll be able to cost your stuff whereas its locked up

Beds from 56 PEN, non-public rooms from 220 PEN.

E-book right here!

6. Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco / Selina Saphi

Selina is a go-to favourite for digital nomads. In Cusco, they haven’t one however two nice areas. Selina Plaza de Armas is positioned within the historic heart just some blocks from Plaza Mayor; Selina Saphi is within the hills.

Whereas their options range a bit by location, each have all of the facilities you’ll be able to anticipate from Selina properties, which are typically extra like boutique accommodations than your basic backpacker hostel. Each are embellished with curated native paintings and supply a co-working area with limitless tea and low, a totally outfitted kitchen, and a bar/restaurant the place occasions are held all through the week.

At each hostels, the dorm beds are comfortable, with private studying lights and lockers (the Plaza de Armas location has privateness curtains too), and there are non-public rooms as nicely.

Selina Cusco at a look:

$$
Totally outfitted visitor kitchen
Widespread areas embody a co-working area, wellness heart, and bar/restaurant
Bunks with private studying lights and lockers

Beds from 55 PEN, non-public rooms from 200 PEN.

E-book right here!
 
***

Because the jumping-off level for trekking by way of the jungle, exploring the close by ruins, and naturally, heading out to Machu Picchu, visiting Cusco is a should for anybody touring by way of Peru. Because it sits at 3,200 meters (10,500 toes) above sea degree, you’ll need to spend a number of days right here to acclimate to the altitude earlier than doing any mountaineering (plus there’s rather a lot to do and see throughout the metropolis itself). Choose a hostel from the above record for a very good keep within the metropolis!